A Catholic man on a never ending journey

Month: January 2017

Yup. That picture sums up just about how I’m feeling inside. I honestly can’t remember the last time that I have felt this stressed out. I can’t give out details but it revolves around our business. Being a small business owner can be good and bad. Lately, it’s been very challenging.

With all the stress and anxiety lately, I hate to admit it but, I’ve been pretty short with a lot of people. Not very Christ like at all.

Right when I think that I’m lost, Jesus has to remind me that He has been there the whole time and that even though I’m going through some tough times in my life, He will be with me. I met with my fellow diaconate brothers yesterday afternoon to practice the Liturgy of Hours that we will be doing at our next meeting in February. (The men are grouped into groups of 3 men based on their location and each group of men lead the Liturgy of the Hours every weekend we meet) If you are not familiar with the Litany of the Hours, there is a short reading in the prayer. We are to come up with a 3 minute reflection based on the reading and we are to share that reflection (kind of like a short homily) with the whole group. I told the men that I hadn’t read mine yet. I saw it and noticed that it was a lot bigger than normal. It kind of freaked me out because it wasn’t as short as the usual ones. I went ahead and read it yesterday and was blown away. I’d like to share it with you now.

Romans 12:13-21

Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; never be conceited. Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Jesus has always walked with me, I just forget at times. As soon as I finished reading that verse from scripture, I looked up at the crucifix in the Church and said, “Thank you.” No matter how many times I feel like I’m being persecuted or being taken advantage of, I shall look to Christ for the answer and remember to treat others with respect and dignity.

Pray for me brothers and sisters that I may get through this rough time in my life and know that I too will be praying for you. Viva Cristo Rey!

As I sit in my office this morning listening to the TV in the waiting room, I can honestly say that I am happy and I am at peace. I am happy because my voice was heard along with many others and we are about to see Mr. Donald Trump take the oath of office and become President Donald John Trump.

For those of you who didn’t vote for Donald Trump, I get it. You are not happy. As a matter of fact, I’m willing to bet that the majority of you are pissed off! I really do get it because I, along with the many others who voted for Donald Trump, felt the same way four years ago and eight years ago when President Obama was voted into office. But I ask you to do me this one favor and take a step back from those emotions and look at some of the issues that came out of the Obama administration listed below.

US – Iranian Nuclear Deal

White House lit up in LGBTQ colors after redefinition of marriage

140 Police Officers Killed in the line of duty

Increase in racial tension

Transgender Issue

Increase in ISIS terrorist attacks in the US

Eight years ago, the images above were not of issue. They had not come into play in our country or at least, not to the extreme that they have in the past eight years. These are just a few of the issues that came to light during the Obama administration. As a Christian, these are some of the issues that I feel have harmed, not helped our country and they are not small things, they are issues that have caused an abundance of pain, grief, fear and hopelessness in our country.

There were some things that President Obama did do that helped our country and I am grateful for those things but we can’t ignore the issues mentioned above and act as if they didn’t happen. Quite a few people who voted for Donald Trump did not want to vote for him, however, they too were tired of what has happened to this once great nation of ours and decided the time for typical politics was over and they were willing to vote in a man with no prior political experience, a man who didn’t serve in the military and a man who was a brand name and an established and experienced business man instead of voting in another typical politician. If that doesn’t speak volumes, I don’t know what does. Donald Trump ran his campaign on wanting to do what was right for every American regardless of whether they liked him or not. He wanted and wants to Make America Great Again. Now I’m not saying that President Trump will not make mistakes. It’s not a matter of if he will or not, it’s a matter of when and how bad the mistakes will be. Every President has made mistakes. They are human, and as we know, we can’t place our trust in humans for our salvation. Salvation comes from Our Lord and Savior.

So, whether you like President Trump or not, it is time for us to come together as a nation under God and to place God at the center of our nation. We must come together and unite under the Cross of Christ and set our differences aside if we are going to improve the problems that we have in our country. If we are true Christians, we must forgive and love our neighbor. John 13:35 – By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

Today is the beginning of a new day in America. A day where President Donald Trump has vowed to start Making America Great Again! Will he be able to do it? Doubtful but, through God, all things are possible. May he look to Our Lord and ask Him for the guidance, courage and wisdom to run our country and may God bless he and his administration. Welcome Mr. President.

John 15:19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
Being of the world is so easy to do. Everyone loves you! You are a voice for the oppressed! You are a hero of the people! There are plenty of people who share the same views as yourself so you must be right! You speak your mind on social media sites and get dozens if not hundreds of likes! When you are of the world, life is good right?
I too used to be of the world. I lived for the day. I lived for the unholy trinity of me, myself and I. When Facebook came around I was like “Great! Finally a place where I can post my opinion and have it mean something!” Eventually it became a place where I could boast and brag about things that really didn’t matter. But to me, at that point in time….oh yeah, they mattered. Fast forward a couple years later and something drastic took place. I chose to stop living for the world and I choose to live for Christ. Little did I know back then that He had already chosen me.
We are all chosen. It’s just a matter of whether or not we want to accept it. Living of and for the world is easy. There are no expectations. But, living for Christ…that is a challenge. The expectations are high and no matter how hard you try, the bar just seems to be set higher and higher and higher. It’s all a part of Christ plan. He knows what we can achieve and how much we can take so he is always challenging us to do better, like any good parent would do. We do this because we know the reward will be the greatest reward ever. We will get the reward of eternity with Christ. Those who choose to live for the world, they already have their reward, the cheers, approval and admiration of their worldly peers. Matthew 6:5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. Those who live for the world, that is their form of prayer. Praising one another for speaking their minds. Placing a man or woman on a pedestal as a hero to be worshipped and admired. Putting themselves before Christ and others. So yes, they have received their reward.
Now, I can say that I’ve been on both sides and I like where I’m at. It’s never easy. It’s always a challenge but one that I am up for. Sure I would like the respect and admiration of family and friends but only if it is coming from a place of Christ. Only if I have been Christ like or shown Christ to others. That is what we are called to do brothers and sisters. To speak the truth, the truth of Jesus Christ. For those of you who are doing so already I say to you, keep sharing his love. For those of you who are living for the world but deep inside yourself you know that there is something better, you are right and, you know what that something or rather, who that someone is…Jesus Christ. He is waiting for you with open arms. Turn your back on him no longer and go on in for His loving embrace and accept the fact that you too have been chosen. Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.